Grasse ★ 4.0
Grasse one hour north of Nice runs the world's perfume capital with the Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard houses, plus a Provence inland cuisine of rose petal pastries and lavender ice cream.
More food day trips in Nice
Menton (Mirazur) ★ 4.8
Menton 40 minutes east of Nice by train holds three Michelin stars at Mauro Colagreco's Mirazur on Avenue Aristide Briand, the Italian-Argentine kitchen built around the lunar gardening calendar.
Eze (La Chevre d'Or) ★ 4.7
Eze 20 minutes east of Nice climbs to the medieval perched village 400 metres above the sea, two Michelin stars at La Chevre d'Or under Tom Meyer the centrepiece with hinterland and bay views.
Saint Paul de Vence (La Colombe d'Or) ★ 4.6
Saint Paul de Vence 45 minutes west of Nice runs La Colombe d'Or on Place du General de Gaulle, the Provence room with a Chagall and Matisse art collection on the walls of the dining room.
Antibes (Marche Provencal) ★ 4.4
Antibes 30 minutes west of Nice runs the Marche Provencal under the Roman ramparts on Cours Massena, daily produce, olive oil and a Picasso museum a short walk away in the old town walls.
Monaco (Louis XV at Hotel de Paris) ★ 4.8
Monaco 20 minutes east of Nice by train holds three Michelin stars at Le Louis XV Alain Ducasse at the Hotel de Paris on Place du Casino, the canonical Provence Riviera tasting kitchen since 1990.